The Japan Times - Mullins gets perfect National boost with remarkable four-timer

Lossiemouth's task in the Aintree Hurdle was made considerably easier when favourite Constitution Hill fell at the penultimate hurdle -- a similar fate that befell him in last month's Champion Hurdle.

Lossiemouth -- beaten by Constitution Hill earlier in the season -- added to Mullins's wins in the first three races on the card and a perfect start to his ambitions of landing a third Grand National on Saturday.

As a result of Mullins's form last year's winner I Am Maximus -- one of six runners from his stable -- shortened to favouritism for a repeat success.

Nevertheless there was one dark cloud that hung over him and owners the Ricci's -- who had two winners including Lossiemouth -- with Willy de Houelle being put down after a terrible fall in the juvenile hurdle.

Lossiemouth's victory followed her impressive win at Cheltenham last month but it was Constitution Hill's second tumble that had the tongues wagging.

"It is heartbreaking," said his trainer Nicky Henderson.

"To do it twice is unbelievable and which is worrying."

For winning jockey Paul Townend there were very different emotions.

"She is a lovely mare," said Townend.

"You would trust her with your life."

- 'I wasn't expecting that!" -

The meeting had opened with Impaire Et Passe making it two Grade One victories at Aintree in as many years, winning the Novices Chase in fine style on only his third start over fences.

The Mullins-trained victor, ridden by last year's Grand National winning jockey Townend, had won a Grade One hurdle at the meeting last year.

"He is really really good, brilliant jumper, he loves jumping fences and has a real spark," said Townend.

"Feels good, cannot believe it is a year already hopefully celebrate again on Saturday," added Townend referring to teaming up again with I Am Maximus in the National.

Townend and Mullins were back in the winners enclosure half an hour later as Murcia coasted to victory in the Grade One Juvenile Hurdle.

The race was marred by Willy de Houelle's dreadful fall -- 2021 Grand National winning jockey Rachael Blackmore limped into an ambulance.

Mullins's quickfire double edged him ever closer to Dan Skelton in the race to be crowned champion trainer.

"I wasn't expecting that!" said Mullins.

"I was hoping better ground would make a difference, I was hoping she’d finish in the first four -- you never know, looking at the drama in jump racing, between Cheltenham and whatever -- anything can happen, and if you're not in it you can't win it."

The 68-year-old Irishman made further inroads as he made it three from three in the next, the Bowl, Gaelic Warrior taking the honours with his son Patrick Mullins on board, edging out the Skelton runner Grey Dawning.

Patrick Mullins -- who will ride Nick Rockett in the Grand National -- is the first amateur to win the prestigious race.

However, it was another amateur who displayed far more emotion and took the honours in the first race run over the National fences -- Huw Edwards winning the Foxhunters Chase.

Tears poured down his cheeks after crossing the line on the Joe O'Shea-trained Gracchus de Balme, four years after they both teamed up to win the race.

"This means a lot more as the previous time we won was Covid year 2021 and no one was here," said the exuberant O'Shea.

M.Sugiyama--JT